Outpatient services are organised so that psychiatric care is easier to reach, and so that illness is recognised and treated early.
- To provide an easily accessible psychiatric outpatient service.
- To ensure early detection and early treatment.
- To ensure that all new cases are appropriately assessed by a specialist, to determine the underlying illness and initiate biopsychosocial treatment.
- To provide continuing treatment for those who require longer-term follow-up.
- To provide psychosocial interventions, including counselling, psychotherapies, and patient and family education.